SANTA FE (AP) - A bill aimed at stopping the slaughter of wildlife that are munching on crops passed the state Senate today on a 31-10 vote.

Under the bill, ranchers and farmers could no longer kill wildlife on private land unless the animals were predators threatening people, pets or livestock.

Landowners for the first time could seek compensation for their crop losses, if they asked the Department of Game and Fish for help but the intervention wasn't effective.

There was an outcry when a Cimarron area rancher last year killed or wounded more than three dozen pronghorn antelope because they had been eating his winter wheat fields. Governor Richardson is pressing for the change, saying such incidents are wasteful and give New Mexico a bad name.

The legislation would take effect in 2010. It goes to the House.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)